Remote device modification

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for remote device customization and modification are provided. Various embodiments remove the need for a carrier to source multiple types of the same user equipment. In some embodiments, the user equipment can be customized upon activation using network communications. Historically, a carrier might have a variant of a phone for each mobile virtual network operator. However, management of the inventory and custom builds can be difficult and expensive. Some embodiments provide for a single global SKU and a single blank-slate device from an original equipment manufacturer. Carrier detection can be used when the phone is activated to create customized phone settings. For example, the look and feel can be updated to match preferences of a carrier (e.g., wallpaper, ringtones, default apps, etc.), corporate client, family, or another specified group of users.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/791,221 filed Jul. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,516,491, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/126,371 filed Feb.27, 2015, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Modern mobile electronic devices (such as mobile phones, personaldigital assistants, computer tablets, or the like) have become a commonpart of modern life. These devices increasingly provide advancedcomputing capabilities along with a variety of other features andoptions that improve the user's experience with the device. Some commonexamples of the features and options include cameras, Wi-Fi, SMS and MMSmessaging, web browsers, voice/video calling, and GPS capabilities. Inaddition to these common features and options, modern electronic devicesoften include operating systems that can run software applications onone or more processors. The software applications can be installed(e.g., by the manufacture, mobile carrier, or by the user) on thesedevices to perform a variety of specific tasks and/or extend thefunctionality of the devices.

The software applications may use many of the hardware and othersoftware components of the mobile devices. As the demands andfunctionality of the software applications increase, so does thefrequency of use for these components. Not only are the demands andfunctionality increasing, but the mobile devices are becoming smallerand the features and applications are competing for various limitedresources (e.g., memory). In order to distinguish between similar oridentical devices, mobile carriers often customize the devices byproviding additional applications and/or locking/unlocking variousfeatures. Traditionally, these customizations are flashed onto thedevices at the factory and require a second flashing to change. Thistype of manual updating process can create a variety of inventoryproblems, among other problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present technology will be described and explainedthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communications environment in whichsome embodiments of the present technology may be utilized;

FIG. 2 illustrates a set of customization levels available to a mobiledevice according to one or more embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 3 illustrates a set of components within a mobile device accordingto one or more embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 4 illustrates a set of components within a branding platformaccording to one or more embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a set of operations for operating abranding platform in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 6 is flowchart illustrating a set of operations for customizing amobile device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a set of operations customizinggroups of devices in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology; and

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the data flowbetween various components of a communications system according tovarious embodiments of the present technology.

The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Similarly, somecomponents and/or operations may be separated into different blocks orcombined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some ofthe embodiments of the present technology. Moreover, while thetechnology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms,specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not tolimit the technology to the particular embodiments described. On thecontrary, the technology is intended to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technologyas defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for remote device support and modification areprovided. Various embodiments remove the need for a carrier to sourcemultiple types of the same user equipment by allowing the carrier toprovide over-the-air customizations to the user equipment. In someembodiments, the user equipment can be customized upon activation usingnetwork communications. Historically, a carrier might have a variant ofa phone for each mobile virtual network operator (MVNO, also sometimesknown as a mobile virtual network operator enabler (MVNOE)). (A MVNO isa provider of management services and a reseller of network servicesfrom other telecommunications suppliers that does not itself own thetelecommunication infrastructure.) Management of the inventory andcustom builds, however, can be difficult and expensive. As such, MVNO'shave been traditionally provided discounts to not request additionalcustomization of the user equipment. When a MVNO accepts these discountsand declines the customizations, a user will often see branding that isdifferent from the MVNO to which they are associated. This can result inconfusion for the consumer.

In contrast, some embodiments provide for a single global stock keepingunit (SKU) and a single blank-slate device from an original equipmentmanufacturer that can be customized over-the-air. Similarly, anunlimited number of SKUs can be set for the same device coming from theOEM and then the devices can be later configured and customized (e.g.,upon activation) based on preferences of the carrier, company, group, oruser. Carrier detection can be used when the phone is activated tocreate (or retrieve) customized phone settings. For example, the lookand feel can be updated to match preferences of a carrier (e.g.,wallpaper, ringtones, default apps, etc.), corporate client, family,other specified group of users, and/or an individual. As a result, fewercustom builds of a mobile device need to be created and managed because,as each device is registered with a network, the aesthetic visual andaudio profiles can be installed (or updated) directly from the cloudalong with content and/or functionality customization.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present technology. It will beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of thepresent technology may be practiced without some of these specificdetails. While, for convenience, embodiments of the present technologyare described with reference to branding a mobile device by customizingaesthetic and functional features/content (e.g., wallpaper, colorschemes, sound schemes, applications, videos, etc.) on a mobile device,embodiments of the present technology are equally applicable to variousother cloud-based branding, rebranding and customization of electronicdevices.

The techniques introduced here can be embodied as special-purposehardware (e.g., circuitry), as programmable circuitry appropriatelyprogrammed with software and/or firmware, or as a combination ofspecial-purpose and programmable circuitry. Hence, embodiments mayinclude a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructionswhich may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) toperform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is notlimited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-onlymemories (CD-ROMs), magneto-optical disks, ROMs, random access memories(RAMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or opticalcards, flash memory, or other type of media/machine-readable mediumsuitable for storing electronic instructions. Of course, aspects of theinvention may be implemented in pure software.

The phrases “in some embodiments,” “according to some embodiments,” “inthe embodiments shown,” “in other embodiments,” and the like generallymean the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following thephrase is included in at least one implementation of the presenttechnology, and may be included in more than one implementation. Inaddition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodimentsor different embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communications environment 100 inwhich some embodiments of the present technology may be utilized. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, communications environment 100 may include one ormore mobile devices 110A-110N (such as a mobile phone, tablet computer,mobile media device, mobile gaming device, vehicle-based computer,wearable computing device, etc.), communications network 120, remoteservers 130A-130N, branding platform 140, and a customization database150. As described in more detail below in FIG. 3, to allow a user tomake use of the various services and features of the mobile device,mobile devices 110A-110N can include various sensors and input/outputcomponents.

In addition, mobile devices 110A-110N can include network communicationcomponents that enable the mobile devices to communicate with remoteservers 130A-130N or other portable electronic devices by transmittingand receiving wireless signals using licensed, semi-licensed orunlicensed spectrum over communications network 120. In some cases,communication network 120 may be comprised of multiple networks, evenmultiple heterogeneous networks, such as one or more border networks,voice networks, broadband networks, service provider networks, InternetService Provider (ISP) networks, and/or Public Switched TelephoneNetworks (PSTNs), interconnected via gateways operable to facilitatecommunications between and among the various networks. Communicationsnetwork 120 can also include third-party communications networks such asa Global System for Mobile (GSM) mobile communications network, acode/time division multiple access (CDMA/TDMA) mobile communicationsnetwork, a 3rd or 4th generation (3G/4G) mobile communications network(e.g., General Packet Radio Service (GPRS/EGPRS)), Enhanced Data ratesfor GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS), or Long Term Evolution (LTE) network), or other communicationsnetwork.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other components(not shown) may be included in mobile device 110A-110N to enable networkcommunication. For example, a mobile device may be configured tocommunicate over a GSM mobile telecommunications network. As a result,the mobile device may include a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cardthat stores an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numberthat is used to identify the mobile device on the GSM mobilecommunications network or other networks, for example, those employing3G and/or 4G wireless protocols. If the mobile device is configured tocommunicate over another communications network, the mobile device mayinclude other components that enable it to be identified on the othercommunications networks.

In some embodiments, mobile devices 110A-110N may include componentsthat enable them to connect to a communications network using GenericAccess Network (GAN) or Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) standards andprotocols. For example, a mobile device may include components thatsupport Internet Protocol (IP)-based communication over a Wireless LocalArea Network (WLAN) and components that enable communication with thetelecommunications network over the IP-based WLAN. Mobile devices110A-110N may include one or more mobile applications that need totransfer data or check-in with remote servers 130A-130N.

In some embodiments, mobile devices 110A-110N may be delivered from amanufacturing facility unbranded and without various software,aesthetic, and/or content customizations. In other embodiments, mobiledevices 110A-110N may be delivered with a first default branding profile(e.g., a neutral color scheme without logos, or branded for the highestvolume use or most common configuration) which can be updated when themobile device is first activated. FIG. 2 illustrates a set ofcustomization levels 200 available to a mobile device according to oneor more embodiments of the present technology. The customization levelsillustrated in FIG. 2 include an OEM customization as a first level, aMVNO customization as a second level, a group customization as a thirdlevel, and a user customization as a fourth level.

When first activated by a user (such as over-the-air, or in a retailstore), mobile device 110A-110N may generate one or more registrationmessages which can be transmitted through communications network 120.Some of these messages (or the information contained within) can be usedby branding platform 140 to identify a branding profile for the mobiledevice. This branding profile can be used to brand, rebrand, andotherwise customize the mobile device with a variety of aesthetic visualfeatures (e.g., boot animation, splash screens, background colors,etc.), audio features (e.g., startup sounds, ringtones, etc.), softwareapplications, various device configurations (e.g., access point name,device management settings, etc.) and other types of content (e.g.,videos, movies, applications, etc.). In some cases, branding platform140 may also enable or disable various functionalities that the mobiledevice hardware and/or software may be able to perform. Brandingplatform 140 may determine the carrier or mobile virtual networkoperator associated with the mobile device and customize the mobiledevice according to profiles defined by that carrier or mobile virtualnetwork operator.

The following table illustrates some of the customizations that may beincluded in a branding profile.

Audio Visual Features Features Content Configurations Boot and shutdownStartup and Videos Network Configuration Animation shutdown SoundsSplash Screens Ringtones Music Device Management Background Colors AlarmTones Applications Disable Content/Features (e.g. Camera, Wi-Fi, etc.)Font Schemes Notification Pictures SMS/MMS Tones Configuration ColorSchemes LTE/VoLTE/WiFi Calling Servers Widgets

The initial OEM device 210 may include a generic branding scheme (e.g.,generic color and sound schemes) along with basic operating systemcontent. In some instances, initial OEM device 210 may have been brandedat the factory with a first branding scheme (e.g., by the carrier). Whenthe device registers with the network, branding platform 140 cancustomize the device based on a MVNO branding profile to createcustomized device 220. As a result, little or no customization needs tobe flashed on the device at the factory. Instead, any content needed forthe customization can be downloaded from branding platform 140 or othersource (e.g., SIM, local computer, etc.). As one example, the material(e.g., applications) and the branding profile may be stored on a SIM. Assuch, when the device is first turned on with the SIM in place, thecustomization of the aesthetic, audio, and content customizations (e.g.,the installation and removal of applications, color schemes, soundschemes, etc.) from devices sold by various carriers or brands based ona single SKU can be customized using the information stored on a SIM.

Further, the branding can be more readily changed by the serviceprovider, since it need not be provided to a manufacturer. So, a serviceprovider could change branding “on-the-fly” to thereby take advantage ofa current trend and provide a branded phone associated with, e.g., acurrently winning sports team, seasonal themes, and the like. Thebranding scheme may be temporary and, in some embodiments, indicate atime frame (e.g., two days, one week, one month, etc.) that the brandingshould revert to, or be updated to, another branding scheme. In someembodiments, a variety of fee structures could be set in place by thebranding platform. As such, a subscriber may have to pay a fee from someof the branding schemes.

In some embodiments, the branding and features of the phone may changebased on location. For example, when a phone roams to a different state,the brand may be updated to that of a local carrier and with a localnumber, sports team, or the like. As another example, If the phone goesto another country, the default language may change (e.g., from Englishto Russian) or a translation application may be automatically installedalong with local maps, and the like.

In some embodiments, additional customizations beyond those requested bythe carrier or MVNO may be available to the user. For example, usergroup customizations and individual customizations may be available. Auser group can be used to create a group customized device 230 (e.g.,company, sport-team related or family customizations). For example, inthe family customizations, the primary account holder may be the onethat controls the group. Similarly, a particular account holder or anadministrator can be responsible for configuring the groupcustomizations (e.g., of a company, governmental body, etc.)

In addition, the mobile device can be further customized, in someembodiments, based on user preferences or needs to create a usercustomized device 240 (e.g., setting a desired text and icon size,placement of icons, etc.). The various profiles needed to identify thecustomizations may be stored in customization database 150. In someembodiments, for example, the profiles may be relate to various games,applications, and/or associated settings.

Customization database 150 can be populated in a variety of ways. Forexample, when a customer buys a mobile device at a store the customermay indicate their affiliation with a company (e.g., by showing a badgeor providing a company code). Using this information, the mobile devicecan be linked to the company (e.g., by recording the IMEI, IMSI, orother unique phone ID) in database 150 so that when the phone isactivated, branding platform 140 can match the mobile device ID to thebrands that should be installed on the phone. The following tableillustrates examples of a data structure that may be used tocommunicate, store, and identify, the customizations for a mobiledevice.

Device ID (e.g., Phone Subscriber Number, IMEI, etc.) Name Brand Set(202)555-0100 Jill Petty Default 210: <Null> MVNO 220: MetroPCS Group230: Company A Brand User 240: <Null> 01 234567 890123 4 Jack LittleDefault 210: T-Mobile MVNO 220: MetroPCS Group 230: Company B Brand,Sports Team A User 240: Little Family 01 234567 778901 2 Jane DoeDefault 210: Generic MVNO 220: MetroPCS Group 230: <Null> User 240:<Null>

In some embodiments, the mobile device may be a pre-paid subscriptiondevice. Many carriers subsidize these pre-paid subscription devicessince the users will typically purchase additional minutes or data foraccessing a cellular network. These additional purchases justify thelower cost and subsidization of the initial sell of the pre-paidsubscription devices as the carriers will be able to recoup the initialloss (e.g., after three or four additional purchases of cellularminutes). However, some users purchase these pre-paid subscriptiondevices but never purchase additional cellular minutes. Instead, theseusers use the device as a Wi-Fi only device (e.g., as a cheap tabletalternative).

Some embodiments allow the carrier to disable (or restrict) the Wi-Fi orother hardware/software capabilities if additional minutes are notpurchased (e.g., after a certain amount of time, after expiration or useof minutes/data, etc.). Similarly, the Wi-Fi may only be disabled if theuser has not purchased a minimum number of additional minutes or data.For example, once the user has purchased five sets of additional minutesor data, the Wi-Fi capabilities may never be deactivated even if theuser does not purchase additional minutes or data.

This may be accomplished in a variety of different manners. For example,the functionality of the Wi-Fi, camera, and/or other features may betied to a current subscription plan. If a current subscription plan isnot detected, then the features may be disabled (e.g., immediately orafter some grace period such as one week) as part of a carriercustomization of the device. As another example, the device may have toauthenticate or reregister with the carrier or branding platform (e.g.,periodic, on-demand, set schedule, etc.). This may be accomplished withan automatic device reboot. During the device reboot, the audio may beturned off so as not to disturb the user. When the device authenticateswith the carrier or branding platform a determination can be made as towhether certain features should be disabled or enabled. The automaticreboot may check to see the current status of the mobile device (e.g.,plugged-in for a long period of time, active data, active voicesessions, background processes, etc.) to decide whether an automaticreboot can happen. If the mobile device is not eligible for a currentreboot due to the current status of the device, then the reboot can beskipped or rescheduled. The automatic reboot feature may have otheradvantages such as clearing random threads, kills the tower session andreestablishes a new session, and the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates a set of components within mobile device 110A-110Naccording to one or more embodiments of the present technology. As shownin FIG. 3, mobile device 110A-110N may include memory 305 (e.g.,volatile memory and/or nonvolatile memory), power supply 310 (e.g.,battery), processor(s) 315 for executing processing instructions, andoperating system 320. Additional components such as data storagecomponent 325 (e.g., hard drive, flash memory, memory card, etc.), oneor more network interfaces (e.g., Bluetooth Interface 330; and NetworkCommunication Interface 335, which enables the mobile phone tocommunicate by transmitting and receiving wireless signals usinglicensed, semi-licensed or unlicensed spectrum over a telecommunicationsnetwork), audio interface 340, microphone 345, display 350, keypad orkeyboard 355, and other input and/or output interfaces 360. The variouscomponents of a mobile device may be interconnected via a bus.

Processor(s) 315 are the main processors of mobile device 110A-110Nwhich may include application processors, baseband processors, variouscoprocessors, and other dedicated processors for operating mobile device110A-110N. For example, an application processor can provide theprocessing power to support software applications, memory management,graphics processing, and multimedia. An application processor may becommunicably coupled with memory 305 and configured to run the operatingsystem, the user interface, and the applications stored on memory 305 ordata storage component 325. A baseband processor may be configured toperform signal processing and implement/manage real-time radiotransmission operations of mobile device 110. These processors alongwith the other components may be powered by power supply 310. Thevolatile and nonvolatile memories found in various embodiments mayinclude storage media for storing information such as processor-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Someexamples of information that may be stored include basic input/outputsystems (BIOS), operating systems, and applications.

FIG. 4 illustrates a set of components within branding platform 140according to one or more embodiments of the present technology.According to the embodiments shown in FIG. 4, branding platform 140 caninclude memory 405, one or more processors 410, operating system 415,verification module 420, identification module 425, customization module430, individualization module 435, linking module 440, authenticationmodule 445, reporting device info module 450, remote instruction module455, monitoring module 460, and management interface 465. Otherembodiments of the present technology may include some, all, or none ofthese modules and components along with other modules, applications,and/or components. Still yet, some embodiments may incorporate two ormore of these modules and components into a single module and/orassociate a portion of the functionality of one or more of these moduleswith a different module. For example, in one embodiment, identificationmodule 430 and customization module 430 can be combined into a singlemodule for customizing a mobile device.

Memory 405 can be any device, mechanism, or populated data structureused for storing information. In accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology, memory 405 can encompass any type of, but is notlimited to, volatile memory, nonvolatile memory and dynamic memory. Forexample, memory 405 can be random access memory, memory storage devices,optical memory devices, media magnetic media, floppy disks, magnetictapes, hard drives, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR RAM, erasable programmableread-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmableread-only memories (EEPROMs), compact disks, DVDs, and/or the like. Inaccordance with some embodiments, memory 405 may include one or moredisk drives, flash drives, one or more databases, one or more tables,one or more files, local cache memories, processor cache memories,relational databases, flat databases, and/or the like. In addition,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate many additionaldevices and techniques for storing information which can be used asmemory 405.

Memory 405 may be used to store instructions for running one or moreapplications or modules on processor(s) 410. For example, memory 405could be used in one or more embodiments to house all or some of theinstructions needed to execute the functionality of operating system415, verification module 420, identification module 425, customizationmodule 430, individualization module 435, linking module 440,authentication module 445, reporting device info module 450, remoteinstruction module 455, monitoring module 460, and/or managementinterface 465. Operating system 415 provides a software package that iscapable of managing the hardware resources of branding platform 140.Operating system 415 can also provide common services for softwareapplications running on processor(s) 410.

Verification module 420 can receive a registration request that includesa bundle of information about a mobile device. The bundle of informationcan include hash values, digital signatures, MSISDN, InternationalMobile Station Equipment Identifier (IMEI), Android ID, model, make,operating system, client key, user identifiers, group identifiers,and/or other information to allow the device, network affiliation, usergroup and user to be verified. In accordance with various embodiments,verification module 420 can verify that the operating system of themobile device has not been compromised. For example, in someembodiments, the registration request received from the mobile devicemay include a hash of various files or identifiers (e.g., firmware, chipidentifier, etc.). This hash value can be compared against a knownvalue. As another example, the registration request may include adigital signature that can be authenticated. In other cases, a varietyof challenge/response protocols to verify the integrity of the mobiledevice may be used.

Identification module 425 can use the information in the registrationrequest to identify originating device, carrier or MVNO, device group,and/or user. This information can be used by customization module 430 todetermine a set of specific aesthetic, functional, and contentcustomizations that should be made to the device. The customizations maybe set forth in various customization profiles created by the carrier,user group, and/or user.

In some embodiments, identification module 425 can perform a carrierdetection to identify which carrier or MVNO the device should associatedwith. Then customization module 430 can identify various aesthetic(e.g., visual and audio schemes), functional (e.g., enable/disablecertain hardware or software features such as a camera, networkconfigurations, etc.), and content customizations that should bedownloaded as set by the carrier or retail store. For example, thesecustomizations can include wallpaper, ring tones, other tones, startuptone, shutdown tone, boot animations, specific applications, networkconfigurations (e.g., SMS configurations, 4G LTE servers, etc.), and thelike. In other embodiments, identification module 425 may generate asetup screen where a code can be used to identify which aesthetic,functional, and/or content customizations should be applied. For examplea store employee or an end-user may enter such a code.

In addition to the customizations from the carrier or retail store madeby customization module 430, individualization module 435 can be used tofurther customize the mobile device based on a user group or on theindividual. For example, if the customer has accessibility needs, thenan individual customization profile can indicate that the virtualbuttons on the screen can be made bigger. As another example, a usergroup may be a company or a family. As such, all devices could beassociated with each other during this over-the-air configurationprocess so that email addresses or shared calendars are automaticallyconfigured on all devices. Linking module 440 can be used to group thedevices for a particular user group. Once the devices are linked,authentication module 445 can be used to generate the group profileswhich setup the common content and/or features. Authentication module445 can also be used to create other profiles including the carrierprofile and the individual profile.

Reporting device info module 450 can be used to generate reports aboutwhich content and profiles have been installed on which devices. Remoteinstruction module 455 provides a framework for generating andprocessing the commands for installing the customized profiles. Forexample, the framework may include a variety of commands including, butnot limited to, download, dialog, install, uninstall, enable, disable,delete, notify, user-defined, clear cache, device status (charge, voicesession, data session, screen on, cpu state, etc.), is packageinstalled, launch, mobile data on, reboot, reset ADaPt, set ADB (usbdebugging), set APN, set auto date time, set Bluetooth, set dataroaming, set GPS, set NFC, set ringer, set tethering, set tone (alarm,ring, notification), set vibrate, set volume, set wallpaper, set WiFi,set WiFi calling, set zen mode, toast, uninstall and the like. Thesecustomization commands can be used to cause the mobile device to installthe customizations without taking control of the device andenable/disable or otherwise set various features. As such, when a mobiledevice receives a set of customization commands, the mobile device mayaccess the cloud-based branding platform to retrieve the prescribedprofiles (e.g., carrier branding profile designated by the carrier). Thecustomization commands may include aesthetic visual customizations,aesthetic audio customizations, and content customizations used to brandthe mobile device according to the branding profile designated by thecarrier. Monitoring module 460 can monitor the results of thecustomizations and identify when one or more of the customizationcommands have failed to successfully complete.

Management interface 465 can allow various techniques for interactingwith the system. For example, management interface 465 may providevarious types of customized or generic interface languages or graphicaluser interface screens to allow for interaction with a user. In at leastone embodiment, management interface 465 can allow a user to setpreferences, review reports, author customization profiles, set deviceconstraints, and/or otherwise receive or convey information about devicecustomization to the user.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a set of operations 500 for operatinga branding platform in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology. The operations illustrated in FIG. 5 can be performed bybranding platform 140 and/or one or more components (e.g., processor(s)410), engines, and/or modules (e.g., customization module 430)associated with branding platform 140. As illustrated in FIG. 5,monitoring operation 510 monitors for a registration request from amobile device. The mobile device may be a blank-slate device from an OEMwith minimal or no customizations. In accordance with variousembodiments, the blank-slate device may have little or no customizationdone at the factory. Moreover, any of the customizations to be made areto be downloaded from the cloud (e.g., one or more remote servers).

Determination operation 520 then determines if the mobile deviceoperating system has been compromised (e.g., if an Android phone hasbeen rooted or if a jailbreak on an iOS device has occurred). Carriersand/or hardware manufacturers often put limitations or restrictions ontheir electronic devices. A compromised device is one where theprivileges of the user have been escalated and the restrictions orlimitations imposed by the carrier and/or hardware manufacturer havebeen removed or weakened. As a result, an end-user could alter orreplace system applications and settings, remove and replace thedevice's operating system, run specialized apps that requireadministrator-level permissions, have full theming capabilities, havefull control of the CPU, remove pre-loaded applications, or performother operations that are otherwise inaccessible to a normal user. Thesetypes of escalated privileges can result in various security andend-user experience concerns.

Determination operation 520 may use a variety of techniques fordetecting a compromised mobile device. For example, the registrationrequest received from the mobile device may include a hash of variousfiles or identifiers (e.g., firmware, chip identifier, etc.). This hashvalue can be compared against a known value. As another example, theregistration request may include a digital signature. In other cases,determination operation 520 may use a variety of challenge/responseprotocols to verify the integrity of the mobile device. Using theresults of determination operation 520, decision operation 530determines whether the device has been compromised. If decisionoperation 530 determines that the device has been compromised, thendetermination operation 520 branches to termination operation 540, wherenetwork access to the device is terminated and no customizations aremade to the device.

If decision operation 530 determines that the device has not beencompromised, then determination operation 520 branches to identificationoperation 550 where the carrier or mobile virtual network operator isidentified. Customization operation 560 determines the customizationprofile created by the carrier or mobile virtual network operator thatshould be applied to the new device which can then sent to the deviceduring transmission operation 570. For example, customization operation560 may send a customization request to a branding platform for anover-the-air customization. The customization request may include a datastructure that can be used by the branding platform to identify theappropriate branding profile and then transmit the information to themobile device where the customizations can be flashed into nonvolatilememory.

In accordance with some embodiments, the customized content is notstored on the mobile device (e.g., on SIM or memory) and all of thecustomizations are downloaded from the cloud, local computer, or storagedevice. In one or more embodiments, the desired customizations may bespecified on the SIM or other memory but the actual content stored inthe branding platform (or a local computer). These specifications forthe customization can be included in the data structure that is sent tothe branding platform and used to identify the specific content (e.g.,applications, wallpaper, etc.) to be returned from the branding platform(or local computer at a store). As such, the OEM may provide the mobiledevice and a SIM could be installed at the store that has the desiredcustomizations (e.g., MVNO branding, local sports teams, local colleges,etc.).

FIG. 6 is flowchart illustrating a set of operations 600 for customizinga mobile device in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent technology. The operations illustrated in FIG. 6 can beperformed by a mobile device or one or more components (e.g.,processor(s) 315), engines, and/or modules associated with the mobiledevice. As illustrated in FIG. 6, registration operation 610 sends anetwork registration request from the mobile device. The mobile devicecan receive for a set of customizations (e.g., aesthetic visual or audioprofiles) from a branding platform during receiving operation 620.

The customizations may be provided to the mobile device using a set ofcustomization framework commands. These commands may direct the phone todownload and install certain files (e.g., ringtones, wallpaper, etc.).In some embodiments, these customization commands may even prompt theuser to determine if the user is interested in certain applicationsand/or content. For example, a carrier or mobile virtual networkoperator may be willing to provide a movie or song to the user. The useris prompted to indicate if they are interested in such a customization.If the user indicates they are interested, then the content can bedownloaded. If the user indicates they are not interested, then thecontent will not be downloaded. This allows the carrier or mobilevirtual network operator to only pay for licenses that are needed toprovide the user content of interest.

Application operation 630 applies the customizations to the mobiledevice. The customization process may be monitored (locally or remotely)to ensure successful completion. Completion operation 640 determines ifthe customization is complete. If completion operation 640 determinesthe customization was successfully completed, then completion operation640 branches to transmission operation 650 where a completionnotification is sent to branding platform 140. If completion operation640 determines the customization was not successfully completed, thencompletion operation 640 branches to failure operation 660 where afailure notification is sent and a request to reload the failed updatesis sent to branding platform 140.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a set of operations 700 customizinggroups of devices in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology. As illustrated in FIG. 7, receiving operation 710 receives auser identifier. The user identifier may identify the user, the user'sdevice, and any groups (e.g., company, family, etc.) that should beassociated with the user. Using the user identifier, grouping operation720 can determine the user group. For example customization module 430,can queries customization database 150 based on a received user ID orother identifier, to find the corresponding user group and the brandingor customization associated with that group.

Identification operation 730 may be an optional operation that that canidentify the devices associated with the user group when the useridentifier cannot be associated with a particular device. Customizationoperation 740 determines if the group devices have any customizations(e.g., specific applications, functionality restrictions, etc.). Ifcustomization operation 740 determines that a group customization isrequired, then customization operation 740 branches to applicationoperation 750 where the group devices are customized until no furthercustomizations are needed. If customization operation 740 determinesthat no group customizations are required, then customization operation740 branches to monitor operation 760 where the future group updates aremonitored and pushed to the group devices. Note, operations of FIGS. 5-7could be performed relatively concurrently.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the data flowbetween various components of a communications system according tovarious embodiments of the present technology. As illustrated in FIG. 8,the mobile device 110 may send a registration request to the brandingplatform 140. Branding platform 140 can then determine the carrier orMVNO associated with the mobile device. Using this information, brandingplatform 140 can generate a customization request to customizationdatabase 150. The customizations can include the carrier or MVNOcustomizations, group customizations, and/or user customizations. Acustomization profile can then be returned to the branding platformwhich can generate customization commands and linking requests. Thecustomization commands are sent to the mobile device which is thenupdated accordingly.

Linking requests can be sent to additional mobile devices 110 to ensurecommon applications (e.g., a family calendar, photo sharingapplications, etc.) are installed and configured. These applications canthen sync data using one or more application servers 130. For example,in some embodiments, when a device is associated with a user group, thegroup customizing profiles may identify applications and settings forthose applications that the group would like to use. As such, calendarapplications can be installed and automatically configured to show thegroup calendar.

In some embodiments, the mobile device may not include any type ofcellular communication capabilities. For example, some types of tabletdevices do not include any type of cellular communication capabilities,but instead use various types of hardware to access the Internet (e.g.,a Wi-Fi device). As such, the mobile device may use various IP protocolsto download content from and/or transmit messages to the brandingplatform via the Internet (e.g., via a webpage or web-interface). Inaccordance with some embodiments, a default or preferred type of accessmay be set and if the mobile device cannot access the branding platformbased on that preference (e.g., a Wi-Fi only device, a poor cellularnetwork connection, etc.) the mobile device will switch to the alternateaccess type.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling orconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer tothis application as a whole and not to any particular portions of thisapplication. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription using the singular or plural number may also include theplural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to alist of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretationsof the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,and any combination of the items in the list.

The above Detailed Description of examples of the technology is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific examples for the technology aredescribed above for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications are possible within the scope of the technology, as thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processesor blocks are presented in a given order, alternative implementationsmay perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in adifferent order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved,added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative orsubcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented ina variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are attimes shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks mayinstead be performed or implemented in parallel, or may be performed atdifferent times. Further any specific numbers noted herein are onlyexamples: alternative implementations may employ differing values orranges.

The teachings of the technology provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various examples described above can be combined to providefurther implementations of the technology. Some alternativeimplementations of the technology may include not only additionalelements to those implementations noted above, but also may includefewer elements.

These and other changes can be made to the technology in light of theabove Detailed Description. While the above description describescertain examples of the technology, and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, thetechnology can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its specific implementation, while still beingencompassed by the technology disclosed herein. As noted above,particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the technology should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the technology with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the technology to the specific examplesdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe technology encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also allequivalent ways of practicing or implementing the technology under theclaims.

To reduce the number of claims, certain aspects of the technology arepresented below in certain claim forms, but the applicant contemplatesthe various aspects of the technology in any number of claim forms. Forexample, while only one aspect of the technology is recited as acomputer-readable medium claim, other aspects may likewise be embodiedas a computer-readable medium claim, or in other forms, such as beingembodied in a means-plus-function claim. Any claims intended to betreated under 35 U.S.C. §112(f) will begin with the words “means for”,but use of the term “for” in any other context is not intended to invoketreatment under 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Accordingly, the applicant reservesthe right to pursue additional claims after filing this application topursue such additional claim forms, in either this application or in acontinuing application.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, storing instruction, which when executed by at least one data processor, performs a method for branding a mobile device, the method comprising: generating and transmitting a registration request upon activation of the mobile device, wherein the mobile device is either a blank-slate device that is not branded according to a wireless telecommunications carrier preferences from a factory, or has installed a default user experience associated with a default preference according to the wireless telecommunications carrier; and wherein the registration request contains information to be used by a branding platform to select a branding profile from multiple branding profiles; wherein each of the multiple branding profile are used to access branding data in a database; wherein the branding data stored in the database includes aesthetic visual customizations, aesthetic audio customizations, or content customizations used to brand mobile devices; wherein the branding platform or database is accessible to outside parties other than the wireless telecommunications carrier; and wherein the outside parties can customize or designate branding profiles or branding data to be used for the mobile device; and, based on the transmitted registration request, receiving the branding profile selected by the branding platform.
 22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the outside party is a mobile virtual network operator and the branding profile is designated by the mobile virtual network operator.
 23. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the aesthetic visual customizations include splash screens, boot animations, logos, wallpaper, and background colors, the aesthetic audio customizations include startup sounds and ringtones, and the content customization includes applications.
 24. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, further comprising: determining whether an operating system of the mobile device has been compromised; and terminating access to the branding platform when a determination has been made that the operating system of the mobile device has been compromised.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising: receiving a set of customization commands allowing the mobile device to access the branding platform to retrieve the branding profile, wherein the set of customization commands are supported by a modification framework and include multiple steps, and determining if each of the multiple steps have been completed and transmitting a request to the branding platform to complete any uncompleted steps.
 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the branding platform supports a modification framework to make remote modifications to the mobile device and wherein the remote modifications include multiple steps.
 27. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving group customizations to further customize the mobile device based on a group profile.
 28. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory, coupled to the processor, and storing— multiple customization profiles or links to multiple customization profiles, and processor-executable instructions, wherein the customization profiles include aesthetic, content, or feature customizations set by a mobile virtual network operator; wherein the mobile virtual network operator is a reseller of network services from a wireless telecommunications service provider; and wherein the mobile virtual network operator does not itself own wireless telecommunication network infrastructure equipment; wherein the processor-executable instructions are configured to— receive a registration request generated upon an activation of a mobile device; and identify the mobile virtual network operator, associated with the mobile device, based on information within the registration request; and, retrieve, from the database, one of the customization profiles that is associated with the mobile virtual network operator identified by the identification module; and generate or provide a set of customizations based on the customization profile.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising an authentication module comprised of processor-implementable software instructions stored in the memory to create the customization profiles stored on the database.
 30. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a verification module comprised of processor-implementable software instructions stored in the memory and configured to determine the operating system integrity and terminate a connection with the mobile device when the operating system integrity has been compromised.
 31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the customization module comprised of processor-implementable software instructions stored in the memory is further configured to: identify a user group associated with the mobile device; and retrieve a group customization profile associated with the user group from the database.
 32. The branding platform of claim 28, wherein each of the customization profiles includes aesthetic visual customizations, aesthetic audio customizations, and content customizations.
 33. A method, comprising: receiving a registration request generated upon activation of a mobile device, wherein the mobile device is a generic device that is not branded; identifying a branding profile to be applied to the mobile device from a selection of multiple different branding profiles; generating a set of customization commands allowing the mobile device to access the branding platform to retrieve the branding profile, wherein the branding platform or a database of branding content is accessible to outside parties other than the wireless telecommunications carrier; wherein the outside parties can customize or designate the branding profile or branding content to be used with the mobile device; and wherein the set of customization commands include aesthetic visual customizations, aesthetic audio customizations, or content customizations used to brand the mobile device according to the branding profile; and receive a request for downloading content associated with the aesthetic visual customizations, aesthetic audio customizations, or content customizations for the mobile device.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the mobile device includes cellular communications capable of connection with a carrier that is a mobile virtual network operator and the branding profile is designated by the mobile virtual network operator, and wherein the mobile device is authorized to be used on a first network associated with the carrier.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the mobile device does not include cellular communications capabilities and the aesthetic visual customizations include splash screens, boot animations, logos, wallpaper, and background colors, the aesthetic audio customizations include startup sounds and ringtones, and the content customization includes applications.
 36. The method of claim 33, further comprising: generate a set of group customization commands allowing the mobile device to access the branding platform to retrieve a group customization profile; and receive a request to download group content associated with the group customization profile, and wherein the group customization profile disables a hardware function of the mobile device.
 37. The method of claim 33, further comprising: generate a set of group customization commands allowing the mobile device to access the branding platform to retrieve a group customization profile; and receive a request to download group content associated with the group customization profile.
 38. The method of claim 33, further comprising: generate a set of individual customization commands allowing the mobile device to access the branding platform to retrieve an individual customization profile, receive a request to download individual content associated with the individual customization profile, and wherein the individual customization profile changes the size of text and icons on the mobile device to permit a user to easily see the text and icons.
 39. The method of claim 33, further comprising: generate a set of individual customization commands allowing the mobile device to access the branding platform to retrieve an individual customization profile, receive a request to download individual content associated with the individual customization profile. 